U.S. patent number 6,562,017 [Application Number 09/856,432] was granted by the patent office on 2003-05-13 for absorbent article with raisable strips.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Livedo Corporation. Invention is credited to Masaru Fujioka, Satoshi Maeda, Kazuyo Mori, Kenji Nakaoka.
United States Patent |
6,562,017 |
Nakaoka , et al. |
May 13, 2003 |
Absorbent article with raisable strips
Abstract
An absorbent article having raisable strips with inner portions
of the raisable strips arranged at the opposite side of the
absorbent article being folded to have a Z-shaped cross section.
Bottom portions of the Z-shaped inner portions are bonded to a top
sheet of the absorbent article, and elastic members are mounted in
top portions of the Z-shaped inner portions so that the top
portions are raised flat together with slanted side portions of the
Z-shaped inner portions.
Inventors: |
Nakaoka; Kenji (Tokushima,
JP), Fujioka; Masaru (Tokushima, JP),
Maeda; Satoshi (Tokushima, JP), Mori; Kazuyo
(Tokushima, JP) |
Assignee: |
Livedo Corporation (Ehime,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
17617532 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/856,432 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2001 |
PCT
Filed: |
September 28, 2000 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP00/06685 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO01/22910 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
April 05, 2001 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 30, 1999 [JP] |
|
|
11-279903 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.28;
604/385.01; 604/385.04; 604/385.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
13/4942 (20130101); A61F 13/505 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
13/15 (20060101); A61F 013/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;604/385.28,385.13,385.01 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Fetsuga; Robert M.
Assistant Examiner: Flynn; Amanda R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jordan and Hamburg LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An absorbent article for use in a disposable diaper, comprising:
a top sheet, a back sheet, an absorbent core arranged between said
back sheet and said top sheet, and raisable strips each arranged on
a respective side of said absorbent core such that inner edge
portions of said raised strips cover an upper surface of said top
sheet, each of said raisable strips having an inner portion folded
to have a Z-shaped cross section, said inner Z-shaped portion
having a bottom portion bonded to said top sheet, a top portion and
a slanted side portion arranged between said top portion and said
bottom portion, each of said raisable strips further including
elastic members mounted in said top portion such that said top
portion is raisable together with said slanted side portion
relative to said bottom portion, and wherein said elastic members
are adhered to a free end portion of said top portion.
2. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said elastic
members are elastic ribbons or elastic threads.
3. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of
said raisable strips has an outer portion bonded to said back
sheet.
4. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said slanted
side portions and said top portions at front and rear parts of said
inner portions of said raisable strips are bonded to said top
sheet, and unbonded intermediate portions between said front and
rear parts are 40% or more of the entire length of the absorbent
article.
5. An absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein said unbonded
intermediate portions are displaced forward by 5% or more with
respect to the center of the entire length of the absorbent
article.
6. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said raisable
strips are arranged at opposite sides of said upper surface of said
top sheet.
7. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said top
portion of each of said raisable strips includes an end portion
folded over and re-contacting said top portion.
8. An absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein said elastic
members are arranged between said end portion of said top portion
and a remaining portion of said top portion.
9. An absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein said end
portion of said top portion faces said slanted side portion.
10. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said
raisable strips are made of a non-woven fabric.
11. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said
raisable strips are made of a non-woven fabric of synthetic
fibers.
12. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said slanted
side portion is inclined from an inner region of said bottom
portion to an outer region of said top portion.
13. An absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising
an adhesive for attaching said bottom portion to said upper surface
of said top sheet.
14. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein only a part
of said slanted side portions and a part of said top portions over
the length of said raisable strips are bonded to said top sheet
such that remaining parts of said slanted side portions and
remaining parts of said top portions are not bonded to said top
sheet.
15. An absorbent article according to claim 14, wherein said
unbonded remaining parts are displaced forward by 5% or more with
respect to the center of the entire length of the absorbent
article.
16. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said top
sheet is smaller than said back sheet such that edges of said
absorbent core are exposed, said raisable strips covering the
exposed portions of said absorbent core.
17. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said top
sheet is permeable and said back sheet is impermeable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an absorbent article used for a
disposable diaper or the like which has a good fit for a wearer and
can securely prevent a lateral leak of urine or other liquid bodily
waste.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An absorbent article used for a disposable diaper or the like
includes an absorbent core arranged between its back sheet and top
sheet and raisable strips having inner portions for covering the
opposite sides of the upper surface of the absorbent article
arranged at the opposite sides of the absorbent article.
Since elastic members are mounted in an extended state at the
leading ends of the raisable strips, the raisable strips raise and
form banks when the disposable diaper is used, and the elastic
members thereof are brought into contact with the skin surface of a
user or wearer, thereby preventing a lateral leak of urine or other
liquid bodily waste.
However, since the elastic members of the raisable strips extend
straight along the forward and backward directions of the absorbent
article, the raisable strips are only linearly brought into contact
with the skin surface of the wearer, presenting problem of a poor
fit and an inability to securely prevent a lateral leak of urine or
other liquid bodily waste.
In view of the problems in the prior art absorbent articles, an
object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article
which has a good fit for a wearer and can securely prevent a
lateral leak of urine or other liquid bodily waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an absorbent article for use
in a disposable diaper or the like, which comprises an absorbent
core arranged between a back sheet and a top sheet, and raisable
strips provided on the opposite sides of the absorbent article so
that inner edge portions thereof cover the opposite sides of the
upper surface of the absorbent article. Inner portions of the
raisable strips are folded to have a Z-shaped cross section. Bottom
portions of the Z-shaped inner portions are bonded to the top sheet
of the absorbent article and elastic members are mounted in top
portions of the inner portions so that the top portions are raised
flat together with slanted side portions situated between the top
and bottom portions.
In accordance with the invention, the top portions can be raised
flat together with the slanted side portions by folding the inner
portions of the raisable strips to have a Z-shaped cross section,
bonding the bottom portions of the Z-shaped inner portions to the
top sheet of the absorbent article, and mounting the elastic
members in the top portions.
Elastic ribbons or elastic threads may be used as the elastic
members.
Preferably, outer portions of the raisable strips are bonded to the
back sheet of the absorbent article. In this manner, the raisable
strips can be of the unit type integral to the absorbent
article.
Preferably, the slanted side portions and the top portions at the
front and rear parts of the inner portions of the raisable strips
are bonded to the top sheet of the absorbent article, and unbonded
intermediate portions between the front and rear parts are 40% or
more of the entire length of the absorbent article.
Preferably, the unbonded intermediate portions are displaced
forward by 5% or more with respect to the center of the entire
length of the absorbent article.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a unfolded state of a disposable diaper
using an absorbent article in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the disposable
diaper using the absorbent article in accordance with the
invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the disposable diaper in its worn
state.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line B--B of
FIG. 1 when elastic threads are used.
FIG. 5A is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line A--A and
the line C--C of FIG. 1, and
FIG. 5B is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line B--B of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of disposable underpants using the
absorbent article, and
FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line D--D of FIG.
6A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a disposable diaper 1 comprises a
covering portion 2 having a front section 2A, a crotch section 2C
and a rear section 2B, a pair of waist fastening strip portions 3
(A, B) arranged at the opposite sides of the rear section 2B of the
covering portion 2, and an absorbent article 4 which is arranged to
extend from the crotch section 2C over to the front section 2A and
the rear section 2B on the skin side of the covering portion 2.
The covering portion 2 includes an impermeable outer sheet 2a
formed of a plastic film which is liquid-impermeable and a
permeable skin side sheet 2b formed of a soft-touch nonwoven fabric
of synthetic fibers. The outer sheet 2a may be a permeable nonwoven
fabric made of synthetic fibers. After a plurality of elastic
threads 5 for leg stretchable gathers are intermittently adhered
around leg-openings 2D of the crotch section 2C of the impermeable
outer sheet 2a while being extended in longitudinal direction, the
permeable skin side sheet 2b on the skin side is bonded to the
impermeable outer sheet 2a by melting or adhesion. The permeable
skin side sheet 2b has an outer surface configuration which serves
as a loop-like locking portion of the mechanical fastener as
described later.
Strip sheets 8 in which a plurality of elastic threads 6 are
intermittently adhered while being extended in longitudinal
direction for waist stretchable gathers are bonded to upper parts
of the inner surfaces of the front section 2A and the rear section
2B of the permeable sheet 2b of the covering portion 2 by melting
or adhesion.
The elastic threads 5 for leg gathers and the elastic threads 6 for
waist gathers are made of ribbons or threads of natural or
synthetic rubber, polyurethane or like material, and the waist
stretchable gathers and the leg stretchable gathers can be
naturally formed by the shrinkage of the respective elastic threads
5, 6.
The pair of waist fastening strip portions 3 (A, B) are made of a
knitted web or a nonwoven fabric of synthetic fibers having an
outer surface configuration which serves as a loop-like locking
portion of a mechanical fastener.
The mechanical fastener is such that a hook-like locking portion
(male locking portion) and a loop-like locking portion (female
locking portion) are provided in a pair, the male and female
locking portions are locked into each other when being strongly
pressed against each other while being disengaged from each other
when being strongly pulled apart by hands. This fastener is also
called a "velcro" (trade mark) fastener. Instead of the mechanical
fastener, separable adhesive may be used.
The pair of waist fastening strip portions 3 (A, B) are each formed
into a substantially triangular shape. The bottom portion of the
each triangular shaped portion 3 (A, B) jointed to the opposite
sides of the back surface of the rear section 2B of the covering
portion 2 (namely, the back side of the impermeable outer sheet 2a)
by melting or adhesion. Each apex portion thereof is projected
outwardly.
On the inner surface of one waist fastening strip portion 3A, a
hook-like first locking member 7A of a mechanical fastener is
arranged and is detachably locked with the outer surface (loop-like
locking portion of a mechanical fastener) of the other waist
fastening strip portion 3B.
The absorbent article 4 is formed flat by accommodating an
absorbent core 4c made of a mixture of, e.g., pulp fibers, super
absorbent polymers between an impermeable back sheet 4a and a
permeable top sheet 4b as shown in detail in FIGS. 5A and 5B, has
an elliptical shape having a narrow front part and a wider rear
part, and is arranged to extend from the crotch section 2C to the
front section 2A and the rear section 2B on the skin side of the
covering portion 2.
A pair of left and right raisable strips (cuffs) 9 for preventing a
lateral leak of urine or other liquid bodily waste are arranged at
the opposite sides of the upper surface of the top sheet 4b of the
absorbent article 4.
The raisable strips 9 are made of a nonwoven fabric of repellent
synthetic fibers. Outer portions 9b have the same arcuate shape as
the opposite side portions of the absorbent article 4, straight
inner portions 9a cover the opposite sides of the upper surface of
the absorbent article 4, and the outer portions 9b are adhered to
the upper surface of the back sheet 4a.
The inner portion 9a of each raisable strip 9 is folded to have a
Z-shaped cross section, and a bottom portion 9c thereof is adhered
to the top sheet 4b of the absorbent article 4 by an adhesive 10a
over the entire length of the inner side.
An end portion 9f of a top portion 9d of the inner portion 9a is
folded down, and an elastic ribbon 11a extending in forward and
backward directions is adhered to the folded portion. The elastic
ribbon 11a is made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber so that
stretchable gathers are naturally formed at the end portion 9f of
the top portion 9d by the shrinking force of the elastic ribbon
11a. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of elastic threads 11b may be
adhered instead of the elastic ribbon 11a.
As shown in FIG. 1, the lower surfaces of slanted side portions 9e
located in a specified front area F and a specified rear area G of
the inner portions 9a of the raisable strips 9 are adhered to the
upper surfaces of the bottom portions 9c by an adhesive 10b, and
the lower surfaces of the top portions 9d are adhered to the upper
surfaces of the slanted side portions 9e by an adhesive 10c. In
other words, the slanted side portions 9e and the top portions 9d
in the respective areas F, G are bonded to the top sheet 4b of the
absorbent article 4.
An unbonded intermediate area H between the respective areas F, G
is preferably 40% or more of the entire length of the absorbent
article 4, and this intermediate area H is preferably displaced
forward by 5% or more from the center of the entire length of the
absorbent article 4. The former construction ensures a satisfactory
fit with the wearer since the raisable strips are raised over a
sufficient length, whereas the latter construction betters the fit
of the raisable strips at the front.
The top portions 9d are raised flat together with the slanted side
portions 9e when the disposable diaper 1 is used as shown in FIG.
5B by folding the inner portions 9a of the raisable strips 9 to
have a Z-shaped cross section, adhering the entire bottom portions
9c to the top sheet 4b of the absorbent article 4, adhering the
front and rear areas F. G of the top portions 9d and the slanted
side portions 9e to the top sheet 4b, and adhering the elastic
ribbons 11a or elastic threads 11b to the end portions 9f of the
top portions 9d.
On the other hand, hook-like second locking members 7B of the
mechanical fasteners which are detachably locked with the permeable
skin side sheet 2b (loop-like locking portion of the mechanical
fastener) of the covering portion 2 are mounted on the respective
rear surfaces of the front and rear ends of the absorbent article
4. The hook-like second locking member 7B may be mounted in a
position of the absorbent article 4 other than the above, e.g., at
the crotch section.
Hook-like locking portions 7C of the mechanical fasteners which are
detachably locked with the outer surfaces (loop-like locking
portion of the mechanical fasteners) of the pair of waist fastening
strip portions 3 (A, B) are mounted on the opposite sides of the
skin surface of the front section 2A of the covering portion 2.
The disposable diaper 1 thus constructed is used or worn as
follows. With the disposable diaper 1 in its developed state, the
front and rear sides of the absorbent article 4 are locked to the
front and rear sides of the covering portion 2 by the hook-like
locking members 7B, the rear section 2B of the covering portion 2
is placed under the back of a wearer and, while the other waist
fastening strip portion 3B is folded to the front to be placed on
the wearer's abdomen, the one waist fastening strip portion 3A is
folded to the front to be locked to the outer surface of the other
waist fastening strip portion 3B by the hook-like first locking
member 7A.
Subsequently, the front section 2A of the covering portion 2 is
folded to the front through the crotch of the wearer to place the
absorbent article 4 on his crotch, and is then locked to the pair
of waist fastening strip portions 3(A, B) by the hook-like third
locking members 7C. In this way, the disposable diaper 1 is
completely worn in such a state as shown in FIG. 3.
In the above disposable diaper 1, the top portions 9d are raised
flat together with the slanted side portions 9e and come into
surface contact with the skin surface at the wearer's crotch in
forward and backward directions by folding the inner portions 9a of
the raisable strips 9 provided at the opposite sides of the
absorbent article 4 to have a Z-shaped cross section, adhering the
bottom portions 9c to the top sheet 4b of the absorbent article 4,
and mounting the elastic ribbons 11a or elastic threads 11b in the
top portions 9d. This improves the fit and, therefore, can securely
prevent a lateral leak of urine or other liquid bodily waste.
It should be appreciated that the absorbent article 4 and the
covering portion 2 may be formed integral to each other in the
disposable diaper 1 as in the prior art instead of separating
them.
Although the absorbent article 4 is used in the disposable diaper 1
in the foregoing embodiment, it may be used by being directly
adhered to pants 12 as a sanitary napkin as shown in FIGS. 6A and
6B.
As is clear from the above description, according to the invention,
the top portions can be raised flat together with the slanted side
portions by folding the inner portions of the raisable strips to
have a Z-shaped cross section, bonding the bottom portions of the
Z-shaped inner portions to the top sheet of the absorbent article,
and mounting the elastic members in the top portions. Thus, the top
portions of the inner portions of the raisable strips are brought
into surface contact with the skin surface of the wearer in forward
and backward directions, which improves the fit and, therefore, can
securely prevent a lateral leak of urine or other liquid bodily
waste.
When the outer portions of the raisable strips are bonded to the
back sheet of the absorbent article, the raisable strips can be of
the unit integral to the absorbent article.
When the slanted side portions and the top portions at the front
and rear parts of the inner portions of the raisable strips are
bonded to the top sheet of the absorbent article, and the unbonded
intermediate portions between the front and rear parts are 40% or
more of the entire length of the absorbent article, the raisable
strips are raised over a sufficient length to improve
fittability.
When the unbonded intermediate portions are displaced forward by 5%
or more with respect to the center of the entire length of the
absorbent article, the fit of the raisable strips at the front is
better.
As described above, since the inventive absorbent article securely
prevents a lateral leak of urine or other liquid bodily waste, it
can be used as it is as a urine absorbing pad or can be used in a
disposable product such as a disposable diaper or disposable
pants.
* * * * *